Science Educator Award

 

The Science Educator Award, supported by The Dana Foundation, honors up to two neuroscientists who have made significant contributions to educating the public about neuroscience: one who conducts education activities fulltime, and/or one who devotes his/her time primarily to research while conducting outreach, policy and education activities.

Recipients receive a $5,000 honorarium, opportunity to write a feature commentary on science education in eNeuro, and complimentary registration, transportation (economy air or ground), and two nights hotel accommodations for the SfN annual meeting. The SfN president presents the award at a lecture at the meeting.

For more information, please review the Awards and Funding FAQs.

Nomination Criteria & Materials

Nomination Criteria:

• Self-nomination is not permitted.
• Nominees do not need to be SfN members.
• Nominations must be made or endorsed by an SfN member.
• No person may nominate more than one candidate.
• Current SfN officers and councilors are ineligible for nomination.
• Due to potential conflicts of interest, members of the selection committee may not be the nominees, and they cannot serve as nominators nor write letters of recommendation for this prize.

Nomination materials include the following:

• One nomination letter (maximum five pages) with a summary of activities demonstrating the nominee's contributions to public education
• Maximum of two optional letters of recommendation
• Maximum of three optional letters of support from members of the public impacted by the nominee's efforts
• Abbreviated portfolio of the nominee's work containing documentation of his or her efforts such as educational materials (video files, photographs, website links), publications (newspaper articles, manuscripts, books), and other printed materials (curriculum)
• Current CV

Eligibility

Nominee must be actively involved in teaching and/or outreach activities at the time the prize is given. Types of activities considered include:

• Programs for professional development of teachers and student research mentorships
• Development of educational resources, books, magazines, and newspaper articles
• Broadcasting
• Lectures
• Website development and other public education and outreach activities about neuroscience
• Exhibit design
• Variety of media formats, including blogs, videos, movies, audio recordings, television, magazines, etc.

Nominators are encouraged to identify candidates whose contributions reach broad audiences that include children, primary and secondary teachers, women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Past Award Winners

• 2021: Stephen Macknik, PhD, and Debra Yourick, PhD
• 2020: John Pollock, PhD
• 2019: Stefano Sandrone, PhD, and Cristian A. Zaelzer-Pérez, PhD
• 2018: Fumiko Hoeft
• 2017: Paula L. Croxson, DPhil
• 2016: Norbert Myslinski, PhD
• 2015: Adam Gazzaley, PhD; E. Paul Zehr, PhD
• 2014: Susana Martinez-Conde, PhD
• 2013: Bobby Heagerty, MA and Martha J. Farah, PhD
• 2012: David M. Eagleman, PhD, and Jay N. Giedd, MD
• 2011: Janet Zadina, PhD
• 2010: James Olson, PhD
• 2009: Janet M. Dubinsky, PhD
• 2008: Thomas A. Woolsey, MD
• 2007: David P. Friedman, PhD
• 2006: Roberta Diaz Brinton, PhD
• 2005: Colin Blakemore, PhD
• 2004: Rochelle Schwartz-Bloom, PhD
• 2003: Eric Chudler, PhD